State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Albany’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August.            

Butler said Wednesday that in August the unemployment rate was just 5.8 percent and job growth continued to climb.  

“The August numbers show metro Albany’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler.

The August unemployment rate was down from 6 percent in July. A decline of 353 in the labor force contributed to the decline in the monthly rate which can be attributed to school age workers returning to their educational institutions. The August rate compares favorably to last August when the rate was 6.6 percent.

From July to August, metro Albany gained 100 jobs, a 0.2 percent rise, which increased the total number of jobs to 61,900. The job growth came in the goods-producing sector, which includes manufacturing and construction.  

Since August 2016, metro Albany has gained 700 jobs, a 1.1 percent growth rate. Over-the-year job growth came in service-providing industries such as professional and business services.

There were 1,549 more metro Albany residents employed than in August 2016.

“Georgia continues to be one of the leaders in job creation and employment,” Butler said. “It's great to see our employers continue to create jobs, and Georgians going back to work.  

Unemployment claims were up by 40, or 10.2 percent, to 431. Claims were up in administrative and support services. When compared to last August claims were down by 22, or 4.9 percent, from 453.

Employ Georgia, the GDOL’s online job listing service at  employgeorgia.com showed 805 new active job postings in metro Albany for August.

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